General
Year: 1968
Manufacturer: BELL
Model: 47G-3B-1
Condition: Used
FlightRules: VFR
Description: I think I can claim to be the only professional helicopter salesperson who can say they’ve flown a 47G-3B-1 for a living... and it doesn’t feel that long ago! In the late ’90s, eking out a living in the Australian outback, my friends and I cut our teeth doing tourism and charter work in Bell 47s and KH1 variants. We didn’t know any better, but these days, I doubt the youngsters would be fearless enough to fly such an analogue aircraft. As the genus of the species “helicopter,” the Bell 47 comes with no engine governor, no trim system, no SCAS, and certainly no air conditioning—and you don’t really need them, since I can’t recall ever flying one with the doors on, even in the rain.
The Bell 47 builds the best helicopter pilots, with all your senses engaged and your brain and left hand constantly modulating the engine to keep rotor RPM in the green. Nothing, except perhaps a Brantly B2 (and who in their right mind would be seen in that?), will teach you more about flying helicopters and the intricate relationship between power available, RRPM, and airspeed than a Bell 47. You’ll learn to love the smell of AVGAS again, and later in life, a whiff of 100LL will bring back memories of trying to outrun trucks on the highway. A Bell 47 gives you more visibility than an F-16, and you can screw your neck around to inspect the stab bar and linkages while on the fly. The only negative is that your bald spot will remind you if you forget your hat in the truck.
Flying a Bell 47 is a joy—it’s engaging, raw, and feels like REAL flying. It will make you a superb pilot, able to transition into any other aircraft with a solid understanding of what really makes helicopters work.
Airframe
Total Time: 10,125
Year Robinson Overhaul Completed: 1968
Airframe Notes: Stripped and painted in 2006. The paint looks the same today as it did when it was done.
Rotor
Main Rotor Blade Time Remaining: 1080
Main Rotor Hub Time Remaining: 465
Main Rotor Gearbox Time Remaining: 600
Anti-Torque System: Tail Rotor
Tail Rotor Blade Time Remaining: 1902
Tail Rotor Gearbox Time Remaining: 678
Engine
Engine 1 Make/Model: LYCOMING
Engine Horsepower: 280 HP
Engine 1 Time: 150 SMOH
Engine Notes: 150 hours TSO
Model: Lycoming VO-540-B1B (VO-540 series)
Type: 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed, carbureted piston engine
Modifications/Conversions
Modifications/Conversions: Texas Sprag Mount
Upgraded Jasco Alternator
Airwolf External Oil Filter Kit
Avionics
Flight Deck Manufacturer/Model: GARMIN
Avionics/Radios: Garmin VHF Radio
Garmin Transponder
Moving Map.
Additional Equipment
Dual Controls: Yes
Additional Equipment: Dual Controls
Exterior
Year Painted: 2006
Exterior Notes: Surprisingly immaculate... not that there is much cabin to repaint!
Interior
Year Interior: 2006
Configuration: Passenger
Number of Seats: 3
Bubble Windows: Yes
Interior Notes: Leather seats in good condition with no money needed to be spent.
Coin Matt flooring
Inspection Status
Inspection Status: Undergoing Annual Inspection
Airworthy: Yes
USD $230,000